5 early Spring Training standouts for the St. Louis Cardinals

Jordan Walker, OF

Spring Training is a time of temptation. Fans often have to be warned that just because a player is excelling, it doesn’t mean he’ll be able to transition his success once the games start counting.

That being said, OMG. 

Jordan Walker is not just impressing this spring; he’s making an embarrassment of the league. The 20-year-old crown jewel of the Cardinals’ farm system is leading Major League Baseball so far in slugging percentage (1.167) and OPS (1.667). He’s also hitting .500, with nine hits in 18 at-bats. 

I was leaning toward Walker not cracking the roster out of Spring Training, but this kind of performance is making it so the Cardinals have little choice. The hype around Walker has become a frenzy, and if he can produce anywhere close to this in the regular season with the major league club, the comparisons to a young Albert Pujols might not seem so wild.

Brendan Donovan, UTIL

It will be a tall task for Brendan Donovan to replicate his surprise 2022 season, where he finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, and while he only has three hits in 15 at-bats this spring, he’s clobbered two home runs. Power was not a part of Donovan’s game last season, as he only managed to hit five long balls in 391 at-bats. 

If this power uptick holds, Donovan could add a dangerous new element to his game, adding to his elite plate discipline. The offensive bar is not high for utility players, and Donovan has a chance to be one of the best hitters among them in the league. The value in that can’t be overstated, as someone who can play almost anywhere on the field and deliver above-average performance at the plate is a luxury few teams have.

I still don’t think Donovan will reach the numbers he did last year at the plate, but sacrificing a few hits to be able to knock the ball out of the park more often is a trade I’ll happily make.

Moises Gomez, OF

Moises Gomez has been a sort of Jordan Walker-light this spring. Although he has no home runs, Gomez is hitting .385, with five hits in 13 at-bats. Gomez hit 39 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, and although the Cardinals’ outfield is crowded, especially with Walker expected to force his way into the mix soon, Gomez has a chance to make it on the roster at some point this season.

Gomez should continue to see plenty of opportunities this spring with outfielders Lars Nootbaar and Tyler O’Neill in the World Baseball Classic, and if the Cardinals can clean up his plate discipline, Gomez could be a special player.

Nolan Gorman, 2B

The big question circling Nolan Gorman coming into 2023 was whether he could improve defensively at second base, and so far, he has seemed up to the task, making a few snazzy plays at the keystone this spring. At the plate, Gorman was one of my breakout candidates entering this year given the outrageously high percentage of balls he hit on the “sweet spot” of the bat last season. 

Gorman has a noticeably more toned physique this season, with more even weight distribution, and it could be contributing to his early success. He is hitting .333 with a home run thus far, and his surprising defensive performance means that he might be able to handle playing second base nearly every day. 

I don’t like the idea of penciling such a young player into the designated hitter spot on a regular basis, and if Gorman can remain steady in the field, he should be able to be a more well-rounded player than many fans expected.

Taylor Motter, 3B

The Cardinals signed Taylor Motter as a free agent after last season, likely to have him serve as a depth piece in Triple-A. His career stats in the major leagues are underwhelming, with an average of .191 in 404 at-bats, most of them with the Seattle Mariners in 2017. Motter has shown some promise this spring, though: In 11 at-bats, he has a .364 average and a .500 OBP, aided by three walks. He also has a home run and a stolen base to his name.

I highly doubt Motter makes the opening day roster, but a promotion if he shows this kind of production in Memphis isn’t out of the question, especially if injuries hit the infield. At 33 years old and an owner of only 446 major league plate appearances, Motter is the kind of player who could gain cult hero status among fans if he can produce at the highest level.

These are the five hitters who have impressed me the most this spring. The Cardinals should have a high-powered and dynamic offense in 2023, especially if some of these complementary pieces can help Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado deal damage to opposing pitchers.